Sources: Knicks center Enes Kanter exercises $18.6 million option to return to team

New York Knicks center Enes Kanter exercised his $18.6 million player option for the 2018-19 season and will return to the team, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Kanter picked up the option before Friday’s deadline. The 26-year-old Kanter surveyed the market and the possibility of entering free agency, but is expected to receive more interest next offseason. Kanter is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed in 2015.

Kanter joined the Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last fall and became a fan favorite. In 71 games last season, Kanter averaged 14.1 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

The 6-foot-11 Kanter, a skilled offensive talent, has played seven NBA seasons with Utah, Oklahoma City and New York. He has career averages of 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. Kanter was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 draft.